Turbine compressor unit



Sept. 29, 1964 w, K. JEKAT ETAL TURBINE COMPRESSOR UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed July 20, 1962 WALTER K. CTEKAT LORANT NAGYSZALANCZY -SePt- 29,1964 w. K. JEKAT ETAL. 3,150,820

TURBINE COMPRESSOR UNIT Filed July 20, 1962 4 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTORSSGPL 29, 1964 w. K. JEKAT ETAL 3,150,820

TURBINE COMPRESSOR UNIT Filed July 20, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 86 a3 saWALTER K. J'EKAT LORANT NAGYSZALANCZY INVENTORS www Sept. 29, 1964 w. K.JEKAT ETAL TURBINE COMPRESSOR UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 20, 1962FIG. 8v

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WALTER K. JEKAT LORANT NAGYSZALANCZY INVENTORS Y @MJ 4. fm,

United States Patent 3,159,820 TURBINE CGMIRESSOR UNIT Walter I. Jekat,Upper Montclair, NJ., and Lorant Nagyszalanczy, Sherman Oaks, Calif.,assignors to Worthington Corporation, Harrison, NJ., a corporation ofDelaware Filed .Iuy 20, 1962, Ser. No. 211,354 4 Claims. (Ci. Z130- 116)This invention relates to a turbine compressor unit or the like and moreparticularly provides an embodil ment wherein the rotating and sealingportions of said unit are easily removable from the non-rotatableportions should replacement of same be necessary.

The application of a turbine pump unit or the like as is disclosed inU.S. Patent 2,991,722 serves to reduce the down time in the event thatrepair of the unit is necessary due to a malfunction. As is indicated inabove patent circumferentially dividing the unit provides for easyaccess to the rotor and related elements even though permanentconnection of the inlet and outlet tubes is provided.

While erection of such a unit as above discussed has the advantage ofreducing the down time and providing a unit of lower cost, it is stillnecessary to disassemble or assemble the rotor and related elements inpiece-meal fashion.

In contradistinction the present invention teaches dividing a turbinecompressor or the like, referred to as a turbine compressor unithereinafter for convenience, into a portion including the non-rotatableelements and a portion includingT the rotating elements wherein saidportion including the rotatable eiernents may be removed from the rstportion of the turbine compressor asia unit.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aturbine compressor unit with a removable cartridge including therotatable elements and as a consequence eliminate the foregoingobjections and further serve to reduce the down time in the event thatrepair to the unit is necessary.

It is a further object to assemble the rotating elements of the turbinecompressor unit into or in association with a hollow cartridge which isadaptable for axial insertion into the turbine compressor unit.

It is another object of this invention to provide radial and thrustbearing means for the turbine compressor unit within the hollowcartridge and provide means in said bearings communicating with theexterior portions of the turbine compressor unit to perimt the passageof a supply of lubricant to said bearings through said means.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means for readilydisassembling the hollow cartridge from the turbine compressor unit.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved turbinecompressor unit embodying the above described features.

Other objects and advantages of the invention including the basic designand the nature of the improvements thereon will appear from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the following drawings,in which:

FIGURE l is a side elevation of the turbine compressor unit contemplatedby this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal view partly in section showing one form orthe present invention.

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FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective View showing the nozzle portion ofthe turbine compressor unit.

FIGURE 4 is a section on line 4-4 of FIGURE 2 showing the nozzle vanesand the means for adjusting the vanes.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation showing the hollow cartridge of the turbinecompressor unit shown in FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a simplified schematic longitudinal View partly in sectionof a modied turbine compressor unit embodying the principles of thepresent invention.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation partly in section showing the first step ofdisassembling the cartridge including the rotating elements from theturbine compressor unit.

FIGURE 8 is a longitudinal View partly in section showing the secondstep of disassembling the cartridge from the turbine compressor unit.

FIGURE 9 is a longitudinal view partly in section showing the third stepof disassembling the cartridge from the turbine compressor unit.

Referring to FIGURE l the turbine compressor unit, generally desginated1, comprises a turbine portion 2 and a compressor portion 3. A frame 4,taking the form of a hollow conduit, is connected to the central housing5 of the unit and the frame 4 serves as a mount for the unit.

While the turbine and compressor portions are shown as beingrespectively at the left and right sides as depicted in the drawings itis not intended to limit the construction to this arrangement.

The turbine portion 2 includes the usual inlet 6 and outlet '7. In thepresent instance, while any type of motive duid normally employed tooperate a turbine can be used, an expander is shown and air is suppliedfrom a source not shown to inlet 6 and serves to drive the unit.

Compressor portion 3 functions as is usual to move system fluid frominlet 8 through outlet 9 to a source of use.

Now referring particularly to FIGURE 2 the turbine compressor unit orexpander 1 comprises a iirst portion generally designated 10 and clearlyshown in FIGURE 1 including what are termed in the art the non-rotatableand associated elements and a scond portion 5l) shown in FIGURES 1, 2and 3 including the rotatable and associated elements.

The first portion 1d comprises the frame and related casings of theexpander or turbine compressor. More particularly the central housing 5including a bore 11 therethrough is connected at one end to turbinehousing 12 by any well known method. In the drawings housing 12 includesa counterbore 13 for receiving -the flange id formed at the turbine endof the central housing 5. Bolt members 15 connect these two elements :inuid tight relation. At the compressor end of the central housing isformed a ange 16 which is mounted in a circumferential counterbore 1'7formed in the compressor discharge casing 18.

The central housing 5 is connected to the discharge housing 18 by boltmeans 19.

It is evident that the central housing 5 and frame 4 may be readilyformed as a unitary element or of split construction as shown in FIGURE2 Without departing from the scope of the present invention. i

The compressor discharge housing 18 is provided with an axial bore 20which coacts with flange 16 to form a stop means for the flange 51formed on the portion of hollow cartridge 50 including the rotatableelments.

A diffuser 21 is connected to the discharge housing 18 by bolt means 22and the diifuser 21 is provided with an inlet Z3 spaced relative thewheel or impeller S2 of the compressor and an outlet 24 communicatingwith the upper interior portion of the discharge housing 18 of vthecompressor portion.

The compressor inlet casing'25 is connected to the discharge housing 18by any well known means. Seal means 26 are provided to maintain theseelements in fluid tight relation as is well known in the art.

While the discharge housing 18, diffuser 21 and inlet portion 25 areshown. as separate elements, it will be apparent that all can be ofunitary construction without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

The usual wearing rings 27 are shown as connected to the inlet housing25 and insert 28 is mounted in a counterbore 29 of the housing Z5 andheld in operable position ,by bolt means30. The insert functions toimprove the ow conditions of the fluid being passed to the wheel 52. Nowreferring again to the turbine portion 2 as is best shown in FIGURE 2,the inlet 6 is connected to a source of working iluid which is passed tothe wheel 53 by the usual nozzle means 30 which are connected to thehousing 12 by bolt means 31.

The nozzle means 30 in FIGURE 3 is shown as comprising side plates 301and 302. Side plate 301 is connected to the housing 12 by bolt means 31.The side plate 301 includes a plurality of openings 303 for pivotablyreceiving the buttons 304 formed on one side of the vanes 305 which areheld in spaced relation relative impeller or wheel 53 by side plate 302which is movably Amounted in abutment with locater member 37.

Side plate 302 includes an annular recess 306 formed between annularlips 307 and 308. Sealing means 35 comprising an annular ring includinga plurality of spring receiving openings 309 is disposed in recess 306and in `assembly springs 310 force the seal means 35 into abutment withlocater member 37 to coact with side plate 301 to hold the vanes 305 Vinoperating position.

The seal means 35 at the other end abuts locater ring 37 which sits atthe lower portion thereof in a counterbore 38 formed on the frame 4 andsaid ring 37 at the upper end is connected to fiangel 14 by bolt means39.

Means designated 400 for adjusting the vane position relative the wheel53 are mounted on the side plate 302 which as is evident is rotatablymounted relative member 37. More particularly dowels 311 iixed to plate302 are disposed in slots 312l formed in the vanes.

Any type of device for translating motion to side plate may be used. InFIGURE 4 there is shown a rod and roller arrangement designatedrespectively 401 and l02 mounted in a frame member 403 including a stopmember'404. The roller 402 is mounted in slot 405 in side plate 302. Inthis fashion manipulation of rod 401 which would be Vlocated for easyaccess within limits set by stop member 404 permits adjustment of thevanes 305 as desired. y

While one form of device for translating motion to the side plate isshown it is not intended to limit the invention to this form as othermotion translating arrangements may be devised for operation with thenozzles, all within the scope of the appended claims. in FIGURE 4applicant has shown in phantom and in adjusted position the vanes of thenozzle as moved by the motion translating unit 400. 1

v A hand hole 40 is formed inthe top of the central housing to provideeasy access to the magnetic speed pick-up 54 discussed in detailhereinafter and is closed byrcover 41 connected to the central housingby bolt members d2.

It will be apparent from FlGURE 2 that removal of the inlet housing 25,associatedelements and diuser 21 will permit removal of the hoilowcartridge 50 from the central casing and its associated elements.

The bore 11, the ring 37 and nozzle are of a dimension that allows thesliding of the cartridge therein to provide a unit which forms anoperable turbine compressor unit.

As will be evident the external dimensions of the hollow cartridge 50 isof slightly lesser dimension than the dimension of the above mentionedelements.

Tne hollow cartridge 50 comprises a casing 55 including first and secondcounterbores 56 and 57 at the end including flange 51. Circumferentialcounterbores 53 and 58a are also formed at the other end of the unit.

Counterbores 56 and 50 form supporting members for the radial bearings59 and 60 which include thrust members 61 and 62 formed as disc-likeplates and as integral portions or these radial bearings.

Shaft 63 is rotatably mounted in the bearings 59 and 60 and at therespective ends 64 and 65 the shaft is in proximate relation With thethrust members 61 and 62.

The shaft 63 is necked down and extends through the bearing members 59and 60 and includes the impeller 52 mounted thereon at one end and theimpeller 53 mounted thereon at ythe other end.

Sleeve 66 including labyrinth seal elements thereon is keyed to shaft 63and said sleeve is disposed in a seal diaphragm 67 which is disposedinthe circumferential counterbore 57 of the hollow cartridge 50. Boltmembers or like 68 hold the radial bearings and seal diaphragm inoperable relation on the lip 69 formed on the flange 51 of the hollowcartridge.

Seals 70 of the O-ring type and 71 of the labyrinth type are provided tomaintain the desired liuid tight relation.

Similarly turbine impeller 53 is mounted on sleeve 72 keyed to shaft 63whereby sleeve 72 is held in operable position by seal diaphragm 73. Theusual bolt means 74 and 75 are provided to connect the impellers to theshaft 63.

Seals 76 are also provided at the turbine end and a labyrintharrangement '77 functions to break down any leakage from the turbine.

Seal members 86 are also provided in annular grooves about the peripheryof the hollow cartridge 50 to form a huid tight relation between saidunit and the casing 5 when said unit 50 is disposed therein.

Lubricant slingers 78 and 79 are disposed about the shaft 63 and betweenthe seal diaphragm 73 and radial bearings 59.

Passage means 80 and 81 are respectively formed inthe bearings 59 andseal diaphragm 73 and communicate respectively with ports S2 and 83formed in the outer portion of the hollow cartridge 50. Lubricant orsealing iiuid as is desired by the user or conditions for which theturbine compressor is called to perform can be supplied to these portsbywell known means, for example, the port Y S4 can be connected to asource of supply.

Thermocouples are shown as connected to the bearings 59 to provide aconvenient means for measuring the temperature of the unit. s

A magnetic pick-up 54 is disposed relative projections l86 on shaft 63and is connected to` a tachometer to regis- 'central housing 205 and thecompressor discharge housing 206 and'to therliange 203 of the hollowcartridge by bolt means 207. Y

To disassemble the unit it is thusly only necessary to disconnect boltmeans 207 and remove housing 206 and then the hollow cartridge 200 andassociated elements can easily be removed.

With the above described arrangement it will be apparent that aconvenient and reliable construction is provided wherein the rotatableelements of the unit included in a hollow cartridge can be readilyremoved from the stationary portion of the turbine compressor unit.

To facilitate the disassembly and assembly of the hollow cartridge 50from the casing, a support member or rail 100 is conveniently mounted tothe casing 6 as by frame members 101 and 102.

Slide members or trolleys 104 and 105 are slidably arranged on rail 100.Slide members 104 and 105 are provided with a turnbuckle or like 106 and107. After removal of the inlet housing 25 and diiuser 21, hollowcartridge S0 can be moved axially in bore 11. Turnbuckle 107 withthreaded end 108 can be connected to an element 109 which is connectedto ange 51 of the hollow cartridge S0.

The hollow cartridge is then moved axially to a point where threadedmember 110 can be seen through hand hole 40 and the threaded element 111is connected thereto as best represented in FIGURE 7 of the drawings.

Cartridge 50 is at a point shown in FIGURE 8 and the member 104 andthreaded member 111 may be disconnected from the member 110 andconveniently connected to threaded member 112.

In this fashion the unit can then be moved as is shown in FIGURE 9;slide member 104 can at this time be moved back and connected to element110 and the unit completely extracted from the casing.

It will be apparent that two or more slide members may be used andfurthermore one skilled in the art will understand that the reversal ofsaid operation will conveniently provide for rapid assembly of the unit.

Although this invention has been described with reference to specificapparatus it will be appreciated that a wide variety of changes may bemade within the ability of one skilled -in the art Without departingfrom the scope of this invention. For example, some of the components ofthe apparatus may be reversed, certain features of the invention may beused independently of others, and equivalents may be substituted for theapparatus, all within the spirit and scope of the invention as dened inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a turbine-compressor unit having rotatable and nonrotatablecomponents, a centrally positioned supporting frame, said supportingframe having a bore extending through a portion thereof; a turbinehousing supported by said rame and covering one end of said bore, saidturbine housing carrying the non-rotatable components of said turbine; acompressor housing supported by said frame and covering the opposite endof said bore, said compressor housing containing the fixed components ofsaid compressor; a replaceable cartridge unit, said cartridge unitincluding a non-rotatable hollow casing dimensioned to closely andslidably t into said bore, stop means on said cartridge unit forlimiting inserted movement of said unit into the bore of said frame, anda rotatable shaft journalled in said hollow casing, said shaft havingsecured thereto at one end the rotatable components of said turbinewhich extend into an opening in said tribune housing, and at theopposite end the rotatable components of said compressor which extendinto an opening in said compressor housing; means for breaking away oneof said housings for axial removal of said replaceable cartridge unitfrom said frame in the direction of said one housing; the said openingin said one of said housings having a dimension larger than the largesttransverse dimension of that part of said replaceable cartridge unit tobe passed therethrough for free, axial relative movement of said onehousing and said cartridge unit; the maximum diameter of the rotatablecomponents in the other of said housings being equal to or less than theminimum transverse dimension of said bore; the cartridge unit beingthereby adapted for unitary removal and replacement with a similar unitwithout dismantling of said cartridge unit.

2. In a turbine-compressor unit having rotatable and non-rotatablecomponents, a centrally positioned supporting frame, said supportingframe having a bore extending through a portion thereof; a turbinehousing supported by said frame and covering one end of said bore, saidturbine housing carrying the non-rotatable components of said turbine; acompressor housing supported by said frame and covering the opposite endof said bore, said compressor housing containing the fixed components ofsaid compressor; a replaceable cartridge unit, said cartridge unitincluding a non-rotatable hollow casing dimensioned to closely andslidably fit into said bore, stop means on said cartridge unit forlimiting inserted movement of said unit into the bore of said frame, anda rotatable shaft journalled in said hollow casing, said shaft havingsecured thereto at one end the rotatable components of said turbinewhich extend into an opening in said turbine housing, and securedthereto at the opposite end the rotatable components of said compressorwhich extend into an opening in said compressor housing; means forbreaking away one of said housings for axial removal of said replaceablecartridge unit from said frame in the direction of said one housing; thesaid opening in said one of said housings having a dimension larger thanthe largest transverse dimension of the part of said replaceablecartridge unit to be passed therethrough for free, axial relativemovement of said one housing and said cartridge unit; the maximumdiameter of the other rotatable components in the other of said housingsbeing equal to or less than the minimum transverse dimension of saidbore; said frame having an elongated opening therein substantiallyparallel to the axis of said replaceable cartridge unit; and meansextending through said opening to engage and support said cartridge unitduring removal and insertion, said elongated opening providing forsubstantial axial movement of said cartridge unit an-d its supportingmeans.

3. In a turbine-compressor unit having rotatable and non-rotatablecomponents, a centrally positioned supporting frame, said supportingframe having a bore extending through a portion thereof; a turbinehousing supported by said frame and covering one end of said bore, saidturbine housing carrying the non-rotatable components of said turbine; acompressor housing supported by said frame and covering the opposite endor" said bore, said compressor housing containing the fixed componentsof said compressor; a replaceable cartridge unit, said cartridge unitincluding a non-rotatable hollow casing dimensioned to closely andslidably fit into said bore, stop means on said cartridge unit forlimiting inserted movement of said unit into the bore of said frame, anda rotatable shaft journalled in said hollow casing, said shaft havingsecured thereto at one end the rotatable components or said turbinewhich extend into an opening in said turbine housing, and secured to theopposite end thereof the rotatable components of said compressor whichextend into an opening in said compressor housing; means for breakingaway one of said housings for axial removal of said replaceablecartridge unit from said frame in the directions of said one housing;the said opening inv said one of said housings having a dimension largerthan the largest transverse dimension of the part of said replaceablecartridge unit to be passed therethrough for free, axial relativemovement of said one housing and said cartridge unit; the maximumdiameter of the other rotatable components in the other of said housingsbeing equal to or less than the minimum transverse dimension of saidbore; said frame having an elongated opening therein substantiallyparallel to the axis of said replaceable cartridge unit; a support meanspositioned above said opening, and slidable means on said support means7 engaging and supporting said cartridge unit during removal andinsertion, at least one of said siidabie means extending through saidopening.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said support means is secured toand supported by said frame.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS 1,282,812Gorman Oct. 29, 1918 1,739,000 Iordao Dec. 10, 1929 1,991,761 McHughFeb. 19, 1935 2,181,973 Iasberg Dee. 5, 1939 2,265,940 Forrest Dec. 9,1941 2,709,567 Wood May 31, 1955 8 Kodet Aug. 16', 1955 Beale NOV. 20,1956 Hornschueh et ai Dec. 23, 1958 Crooks et al. Mar. 22, 1960 YggeJune 7, 1960 Sampson June 28, 1960 Hornsehuch Aug. 2, 1960 Reumund Nov.29, 1960 MeAlpine Apr. 11, 1961 Diefenderfer Iuly 11, 1961 FOREIGNPATENTS France Oct. 15, 1907 France May 25, 1908

1. IN A TURBINE-COMPRESSOR UNIT HAVING ROTATABLE AND NONROTATABLECOMPONENTS, A CENTRALLY POSITIONED SUPPORTING FRAME, SAID SUPPORTINGFRAME HAVING A BORE EXTENDING THROUGH A PORTION THEREOF; A TURBINEHOUSING SUPPORTED BY SAID FRAME AND COVERING ONE END OF SAID BORE, SAIDTURBINE HOUSING CARRYING THE NON-ROTATABLE COMPONENTS OF SAID TURBINE; ACOMPRESSOR HOUSING SUPPORTED BY SAID FRAME AND COVERING THE OPPOSITE ENDOF SAID BORE, SAID COMPRESSOR HOUSING CONTAINING THE FIXED COMPONENTS OFSAID COMPRESSOR; A REPLACEABLE CARTRIDGE UNIT, SAID CARTRIDGE UNITINCLUDING A NON-ROTATABLE HOLLOW CASING DIMENSIONED TO CLOSELY ANDSLIDABLY FIT INTO SAID BORE, STOP MEANS ON SAID CARTRIDGE UNIT FORLIMITING INSERTED MOVEMENT OF SAID UNIT INTO THE BORE OF SAID FRAME, ANDA ROTATABLE SHAFT JOURNALLED IN SAID HOLLOW CASING, SAID SHAFT HAVINGSECURED THERETO AT ONE END THE ROTATABLE COMPONENTS OF SAID TURBINEWHICH EXTEND INTO AN OPENING IN SAID TRIBUNE HOUSING, AND AT THEOPPOSITE END THE ROTATABLE COMPONENTS OF SAID COMPRESSOR WHICH EXTENDINTO AN OPENING IN SAID COMPRESSOR